CAROL CERWIN

*** ********* ***., ****** ****** Farms, MI 48236

313-***-****

acp2bs@r.postjobfree.com

BACKGROUND SUMMARY

Broad-based knowledge of estate and trust administration gained through extensive experience at banks,

law and accounting firms. High level of expertise in estate planning, estate settlement, trust administration,

estate tax return preparation and Crummey compliance. Highly professional and able to establish relationships

and communicate effectively at all levels. Administered and/or implemented:

Estate Plans Agency Accounts Reviewed/Interpreted Estate

Probate Estates Bill Pay Accounts Plan Documents

Trusts Successor Trust Funding Managed and Supervised Staff

Special Needs Trusts Retitling of Assets Interacted with Clients, Attorneys,

Irrevocable Life Collection of Assets Accountants and Other

Insurance Trusts Professionals

EXPERIENCE

PLUNKETT COONEY Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Paralegal December, 2013 to Present

Provided paralegal services in the areas of estate planning, estate settlement and trust administration.

CERWIN CONSULTING LLC Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan

President November, 2011 December, 2013

Provided paralegal services in the areas of estate planning, estate settlement and trust administration on

an as-needed basis without the overhead costs associated with permanent staff.

Recommended pursuit of constructive trust for an intestate estate which resulted in recovery of

$141,000 to the Estate.

TALMER BANK AND TRUST

(Formerly River Place Trust, a division of Community Central Bank) Mt. Clemens, Michigan

Senior Vice President/Trust Officer September, 2009 October, 2011

Provided family office services and trust administration for a multi-generation high net worth family with

multiple trusts. Also administered probate estates, irrevocable trusts and special needs trusts.

Managed Trust Department after departure of President, which included direct reports to the bank

President and regular status reports to the Board of Directors.

Reduced customer complaints to zero by promptly responding to client inquiries.

Achieved high ratings from state auditors by ensuring compliance with state regulations.

Acquired cemetery trust business by researching requirements and drafting trust form approved by

the Michigan Cemetery Commission.

Reduced $24K in annual trust department expenses by converting trust system from SEI to M&I.

Streamlined work production and reduced chances of missing critical actions by developing

standard procedures followed by trust department staff.

2

PLANTE MORAN TRUST and PLANTE & MORAN, PLLC Southfield, Michigan

Trust Officer/Trust Administrator July, 1997 September, 2009

Provided estate and trust administration services as a Trust Officer with Plante Moran Trust and as the

trust administrator for clients utilizing the Trust Services Group of Plante & Moran, PLLC.

Developed the Trust Services Group which supported all Partners in the organization who were

acting as a fiduciary for clients.

Prepared an average of 5 estate tax returns (Form 706) per year accurately and on time.

Assured accurate administration of Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts by always meeting deadlines

for paying insurance premiums and circulating Crummey letters.

Decreased redundancy by creating and maintaining a forms library used by staff.

Wrote articles for The Universal Advisor newsletter delivered to clients and professionals.

Arranged, coordinated and presented at internal and external seminars.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

COMERICA BANK Detroit, Michigan

Estate Administrator handling settlement of estates June, 1996 June, 1997

MIRO WEINER & KRAMER Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Paralegal specializing in Estate Planning and Probate January, 1984 June, 1996

EVANS & LUPTAK Detroit, Michigan

Paralegal specializing in Estate Planning and Probate September, 1977 January, 1984

McINALLY, ROCKWELL, BRUCKER, NEWCOMBE & WILKE Detroit, Michigan

Paralegal specializing in Estate Planning and Probate March, 1976 August, 1977

HINKS, KNIGHT & PUTNAM Detroit, Michigan

Receptionist for 6 man law firm and legal secretary to June, 1975 March, 1976

estate planning attorney and litigator.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Instructor, Estate Planning, Oakland University Paralegal Program, Winter 2012 Semester

Guest Speaker, Ethics, Oakland University Paralegal Program, 1990-2005

CERTIFICATION

Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) Attainment: 1999

Institute of Certified Bankers, Washington, DC

MEMBERSHIPS / AFFILIATIONS

State Bar of Michigan Affiliate Member

Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metropolitan Detroit

Oakland University Paralegal Advisory Board - Member

3

Carol Cerwin

EDUCATION

National Trust School, National Graduate Trust School Level I and 1997, 1998, 1999

National Graduate Trust School Level II

American Bankers Association, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

Dale Carnegie Course Completion: 1995

Warren, Michigan

Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance Attainment: 1989

Walsh College, Troy, Michigan

Associate of Applied Science, Paralegal Technology Attainment: 1975

Macomb County Community College, Warren, Michigan

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